Walk the long cedar-lined avenue of tombs to Kōbō Daishi’s mausoleum, cross the town to the founder’s temple complex and the head temple, and settle into a monks’ lodging for the night.
Water and food
- Water
- None found near the stops. Carry enough for the day.
- Food
- 光海 珈琲 Cafe 70 m from stop 1
- 和風らーめん みやま Restaurant 140 m from stop 2
- はちよう Restaurant 130 m from stop 4
- 高野山 café雫 Cafe 210 m from stop 5
- 花菱 Restaurant 60 m from stop 6
Places mapped by volunteers on OpenStreetMap; opening times and taps change, so check before relying on one. © OpenStreetMap contributors
Segments
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Arriving on the mountainKōyasan basin (cable car / bus, or the chōishi-michi trail) → Ichinohashi bridge
Town streets, or mountain pilgrim trail
Most arrive by the Nankai cable car and a short bus ride; pilgrims climb the Kōyasan chōishi-michi, a trail of about 24 km marked by stone stupas set roughly every chō. Either way, begin at the Ichinohashi bridge, the traditional entrance to the Okunoin approach.
About this place
Kōyasan chōishi-michi (高野山町石道) is a pilgrimage route on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region of Japan. It begins at the Jison-in temple in the town of Kudoyama on the south bank of the Kinokawa River and extends twenty-four kilometres to Mount Kōya, or Kongōbu-ji Temple, the ecclesiastical headquarters of the Kōyasan sect of Shingon Buddhism in the town of Kōya. The path is a National Historic Site and is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. The area is also within the Kōyasan Chōishi-michi Tamagawa Prefectural Park (高野山町石道玉川峡県立自然公園).
Read more on Wikipedia Photo: Reggaeman · CC BY-SA 3.0 -
The Okunoin avenueIchinohashi bridge → Gobyō-bashi bridge
Stone-paved avenue under old cedars
The approach to Okunoin runs for about two kilometres beneath towering cryptomeria cedars, past more than two hundred thousand tombstones, memorials and moss-covered stupas — feudal lords, monks and merchants all buried close to the mountain's holiest ground. It is considered the largest cemetery in Japan.
About this place
Okunoin or Oku-no-in is a sacred Buddhist site and cemetery on Mount Kōya, in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Opened in 835, it houses the mausoleum of Kūkai, founder of the Shingon school of esoteric Buddhism. It is considered the largest cemetery in Japan, with more than two hundred thousand graves and memorial monuments.
Read more on Wikipedia Photo: Dokudami · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Kōbō Daishi's mausoleumGobyō-bashi bridge → Gobyō (mausoleum) and Tōrō-dō
Sacred inner precinct, no photography
Beyond the Gobyō-bashi bridge lies the mausoleum of Kūkai, Kōbō Daishi, whom Shingon believers hold to rest here in eternal meditation. Before it stands the Tōrō-dō, the Hall of Lamps, where thousands of lanterns are kept burning. This is the spiritual heart of the mountain; photography stops at the bridge.
About this place
Kūkai , born Saeki no Mao posthumously called Kōbō Daishi , was a Japanese Buddhist monk, calligrapher, and poet who founded the esoteric Shingon school of Buddhism. He travelled to China, where he studied Tangmi under the monk Huiguo. Upon returning to Japan, he founded Shingon—the Japanese branch of Vajrayana Buddhism. With the blessing of several Emperors, Kūkai was able to preach Shingon teachings and found Shingon temples. Like other influential monks, Kūkai oversaw public works and constructions. Mount Kōya was chosen by him as a holy site, and he spent his later years there until his death in 835 CE.
Read more on Wikipedia Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY 4.0 - The Danjō Garan
Okunoin → Danjō Garan
Town streets and temple grounds
Across the town lies the Danjō Garan, the central temple complex Kūkai first laid out. Its vermilion Konpon Daitō, the Great Stupa, rises above the trees, and beside it stands the Kondō main hall — the ceremonial core of Shingon on the mountain.
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Kongōbu-jiDanjō Garan → Kongōbu-ji
Temple grounds
Kongōbu-ji is the head temple of Kōyasan Shingon Buddhism, its name meaning Temple of the Diamond Mountain Peak. Inside are painted sliding screens and the Banryūtei, a large raked-gravel rock garden. Visitors are often served tea in its halls.
About this place
Kongōbu-ji (金剛峯寺) is the ecclesiastic head temple of Kōyasan Shingon Buddhism, located on Mount Kōya , Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Its name means Vajra Peak Temple. It is part of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Read more on Wikipedia Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5 - A night in a shukubo
Kongōbu-ji → A temple lodging (shukubo)
Town streets
Many of Kōya's temples take in guests as shukubo, temple lodgings, with tatami rooms, a vegetarian shōjin-ryōri dinner and an early-morning Buddhist service you are welcome to join. Staying over is the classic way to feel the rhythm of the mountain.
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